"He said that his wife was sick in the hospital & he had no one to cook Christmas dinner for them..Plus he'd spent all his money on her medicine & wouldn't be able to buy Christmas presents for his kids..now he was trying to get back to his hometown so he could see his wife in the hospital before Christmas & spend Christmas with his kids..
...he just walked up to us at the bus stop..I was a little leary at first, but there was something about him..you could see in his eyes that he was genuine...so we gave him a ride to his bus, plus we payed for his fare so he could go home to his family..but before that, we stopped at a Pick & Pay & bought some food for their Christmas dinner.."
This was the story told me by Mariangela last Christmas, when recalling her grand "operation angel", conducted by her & Seth the Christmas before that one..
As soon as I heard this story, I knew I just had to do the same for someone else..not cause I wanted to outdo Seth & Mari, but because I was so impressed with their Tiny Tim/Bob Cratchet Christmas spirits & I wanted to "save someone's Christmas" too..
At the mission base I stayed at/worked at for a year in South Africa, one of my main jobs was deliveries/driving duties...Picking up food for distribution, delivering food at our creche in a local slum, picking up donated goods for the mission center, picking up building supplies for renovations to the mission, trash runs, school runs, shopping trips, business trips, taking the kids to dance recital...I was behind the wheel most of the day..
During such driving expeditions I would often pass hitchhikers. Of course, Johannesburg's notoriety as THE crime capital of Africa did give me a sense of extreme caution when assessing who would benefit from my "driver's charity lift" that particular day..
Shortly after Mari told me her story (and shortly after Christmas had ended) I was back & forth from the mission base to the Home Affairs office downtown Pretoria where I was working on extending my visa to enable me to stay on in time to participate in the World Cup Outreach programs I knew we'd be putting on..
One particular morning, when going to an appointment with a senior officer at the immo office who'd promised to help speedily process my visa, I had a certain feeling (or maybe Someone was speaking to me) that I should take a side road to down-town Pretoria via the industrial area instead of taking the free-way like I was accustomed to doing..I would soon find out why...
I was flying along at a "slightly" high speed (well, only about 10 ks over the speed limit..ahem..)as I was late for my appointment, when on the side of the road I saw a small Afrikaans family of hitch-hikers, consisting of a young couple & their baby...I sighed inwardly as I drove past them, as I didn't want to stop & get them, but I knew good & well that I was going to nonetheless..
I pulled over to the side of the road & put on my emergency lights..As they rather quickly walked up behind me, pushing their baby in a buggy, I could see that they were poorly dressed, slightly shabby looking, with a sort of stressed air about them--the wife in particular--as if they hadn't had much sleep the night before. The man explained that they were trying to go to a national hospital several kilometers up the road, but they didn't have a car, or cab fare to get there..When he asked me to open up the trunk so they could put the buggy in the back, I obliged..after noticing them struggle for a minute or 2, I rolled my eyes & wondered just how much later they were gonna make me.. After helping the wife & baby get into the back, the man got into the front passenger seat & off we went.
All my annoyance was gone in an instant, when the man explained to me after thanking me again & again, how his wife had fallen sick several days before & was experiencing shortness of breath & having trouble sleeping...but the reason they were going to the hospital was for their 6 month old baby, who was also sick (I can't remember with what)..He explained how they'd taken several trips to a government hospital as they couldn't afford a private doctor..He had no idea how he was going to get treatment for his wife, as they barely had enough money to get medicine for their baby..
As I drove on, we made small talk & I told him why I was in South Africa & that I was a missionary..I talked about my time in Nigeria & that I'd plans to go back there (which I did at the time)..He asked if I would take him with me & employ him as a missionary as well..
After only about 10 minutes we arrived at the hospital. When I pulled up at the entrance the man asked if I had any money I could give them towards medicines..I thought of Mari & how heroic she'd been in accommodating all the needs of her "weary-traveler-in-need" that Christmas.. But I actually hadn't brought money with me that morning, as it was to be a single-faceted visit with the immigration officer & then I'd be coming straight back to the mission...
"I don't have any money on me, but I believe in the power of prayer & I'd like to pray for your wife & baby before you go.."
I laid hands on the baby & mother & prayed a simple prayer asking for Jesus' miracle working power to not only heal them from what they were sick with, but to also provide for them in the myriad of ways that they needed..
I left them with the few gifts that I did have to give them, including a loaf of bread & some fruit that were in my car from the last food distribution I'd done, as well as a copy of the inspirational magazine meant for the appointment I was now late for..They received these gifts thankfully & I promised them I'd continue to pray for them, which I did both throughout the day, as well as during the months that followed whenever I thought about them..
As I drove on to my appointment, I realized the the frustrations I faced with my visa not being processed as I'd wanted, were nothing compared to the frustration this simple couple faced as they watched their child struggle with something they had no power to fix..
Apart from the reality check as to how blessed I really was, I also drove on with the feeling of happiness & relief that God had me be at that exact spot that morning, where I could be of assistance to that family in need & pass on a little bit of Mari's charitable Christmas spirit..
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Let My Love Warm Your Christmas..
From Jesus, with Love..
No matter how down you may be--if you are out of work & have an empty wallet or bank account, if you're lonely or sick or have suffered personal loss, if war or hatred or injustice or others' indifference has chilled your heart--My love can change that. Let My birth & all that it heralded be remembered. Let My love fill you & give you purpose. Evils also plagued the world at the time of My birth & throughout My life on earth, but in the midst of such great darkness came the brightest light the world has ever known; amidst great suffering t...he greatest gift was given. My Father sent Me in the form of a weak & helpless baby to grow up & live as one of you & experience the same hurts you do, and to suffer at the hands of unjust men. I became one of you in order to save you.
Let the truth & love that I brought that first Christmas Day shine in your heart now. Let Me wipe away your fears & tears.
Let My love warm your Christmas.
Merry Christmas, everyone! ;)
No matter how down you may be--if you are out of work & have an empty wallet or bank account, if you're lonely or sick or have suffered personal loss, if war or hatred or injustice or others' indifference has chilled your heart--My love can change that. Let My birth & all that it heralded be remembered. Let My love fill you & give you purpose. Evils also plagued the world at the time of My birth & throughout My life on earth, but in the midst of such great darkness came the brightest light the world has ever known; amidst great suffering t...he greatest gift was given. My Father sent Me in the form of a weak & helpless baby to grow up & live as one of you & experience the same hurts you do, and to suffer at the hands of unjust men. I became one of you in order to save you.
Let the truth & love that I brought that first Christmas Day shine in your heart now. Let Me wipe away your fears & tears.
Let My love warm your Christmas.
Merry Christmas, everyone! ;)
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Christmas kick-off..
So it's officially Christmas all over the world now, no doubt..
Here in the States, Christmas starts about a week before Thanksgiving..so we've already had @ 3 wks of Christmas decorations, carols, commercials (those r the most annoying)..
In any case, this beautiful story, signifies the Love & Spirit that embodies Christmas & for which Christmas was originally invented...Enjoy!
The SPARROW at STARBUCKS - The song that silenced the cappuccino machine.
It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and Broadway, just a skip up from Times Square. Early November weather in New York City holds only the slightest hint of the bitter chill of late December and January, but it's enough to send the masses crowding indoors to vie for available space and warmth. For a musician, it's the most lucrative Starbucks location in the world, I'm told, and consequently, the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right.
Apparently, we were striking all the right chords that night, because our basket was almost overflowing. It was a fun, low-pressure gig - I was playing keyboard and singing backup for my friend who also added rhythm with an arsenal of percussion instruments. We mostly did pop songs from the '40s to the '90s with a few original tunes thrown in. During our emotional rendition of the classic, "If You Don't Know Me by Now," I noticed a lady sitting in one of the lounge chairs across from me. She was swaying to the beat and singing along.
After the tune was over, she approached me. "I apologize for singing along on that song. Did it bother you?" she asked.
"No," I replied. "We love it when the audience joins in. Would you like to sing up front on the next selection?" To my delight, she accepted my invitation. "You choose," I said. "What are you in the mood to sing?"
"Well. ... do you know any hymns?" Hymns? This woman didn't know who she was dealing with. I cut my teeth on hymns. Before I was even born, I was going to church. I gave our guest singer a knowing look. "Name one."
"Oh, I don't know. There are so many good ones. You pick one."
"Okay," I replied. "How about 'His Eye is on the Sparrow'?"
My new friend was silent, her eyes averted. Then she fixed her eyes on mine again and said, "Yeah. Let's do that one." She slowly nodded her head, put down her purse, straightened her jacket and faced the center of the shop. With my two-bar setup, she began to sing, "Why should I be discouraged? Why should the shadows come?"
The audience of coffee drinkers was transfixed. Even the gurgling noises of the cappuccino machine ceased as the employees stopped what they were doing to listen. The song rose to its conclusion.
"I sing because I'm happy; I sing because I'm free. For His eye is on the sparrow And I know He watches me."
When the last note was sung, the applause crescendoed to a deafening roar that would have rivaled a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall. Embarrassed, the woman tried to shout over the din, "Oh, y'all go back to your coffee! I didn't come in here to do a concert! I just came in here to get somethin' to drink, just like you!"
But the ovation continued.. I embraced my new friend. "You, my dear, have made my whole year! That was beautiful!"
"Well, it's funny that you picked that particular hymn," she said.
"Why is that?"
"Well ." she hesitated again, "that was my daughter's favorite song."
"Really!" I exclaimed.
"Yes," she said, and then grabbed my hands. By this time, the applause had subsided and it was business as usual... "She was 16. She died of a brain tumor last week."
I said the first thing that found its way through my stunned silence. "Are you going to be okay?"
She smiled through tear-filled eyes and squeezed my hands. "I'm gonna be okay. I've just got to keep trusting the Lord and singing his songs, and everything's gonna be just fine."
She picked up her bag, gave me her card, and then she was gone.
Was it just a coincidence that we happened to be singing in that particular coffee shop on that particular November night? Coincidence that this wonderful lady just happened to walk into that particular shop? Coincidence that of all the hymns to choose from, I just happened to pick the very hymn that was the favorite of her daughter, who had died just the week before? I refuse to believe it.
God has been arranging encounters in human history since the beginning of time, and it's no stretch for me to imagine that he could reach into a coffee shop in midtown Manhattan and turn an ordinary gig into a revival. It was a great reminder that if we keep trusting him and singing his songs, everything's gonna be okay.
The next time you feel like GOD can't use YOU, remember, Noah was a drunk, Abraham was too old, Isaac was a daydreamer, Jacob was a liar, Leah was ugly, Joseph was abused, Moses had a stuttering problem, Gideon was afraid, Samson had long hair and was a womanizer, Rahab was a prostitute, Jeremiah and Timothy were too young, David had an affair and was a murderer, Elijah was suicidal, Isaiah preached naked, Jonah ran from God, Peter denied Christ, The Disciples fell asleep while praying, And Lazarus was dead!
No more excuses now!! God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.
Here in the States, Christmas starts about a week before Thanksgiving..so we've already had @ 3 wks of Christmas decorations, carols, commercials (those r the most annoying)..
In any case, this beautiful story, signifies the Love & Spirit that embodies Christmas & for which Christmas was originally invented...Enjoy!
The SPARROW at STARBUCKS - The song that silenced the cappuccino machine.
It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and Broadway, just a skip up from Times Square. Early November weather in New York City holds only the slightest hint of the bitter chill of late December and January, but it's enough to send the masses crowding indoors to vie for available space and warmth. For a musician, it's the most lucrative Starbucks location in the world, I'm told, and consequently, the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right.
Apparently, we were striking all the right chords that night, because our basket was almost overflowing. It was a fun, low-pressure gig - I was playing keyboard and singing backup for my friend who also added rhythm with an arsenal of percussion instruments. We mostly did pop songs from the '40s to the '90s with a few original tunes thrown in. During our emotional rendition of the classic, "If You Don't Know Me by Now," I noticed a lady sitting in one of the lounge chairs across from me. She was swaying to the beat and singing along.
After the tune was over, she approached me. "I apologize for singing along on that song. Did it bother you?" she asked.
"No," I replied. "We love it when the audience joins in. Would you like to sing up front on the next selection?" To my delight, she accepted my invitation. "You choose," I said. "What are you in the mood to sing?"
"Well. ... do you know any hymns?" Hymns? This woman didn't know who she was dealing with. I cut my teeth on hymns. Before I was even born, I was going to church. I gave our guest singer a knowing look. "Name one."
"Oh, I don't know. There are so many good ones. You pick one."
"Okay," I replied. "How about 'His Eye is on the Sparrow'?"
My new friend was silent, her eyes averted. Then she fixed her eyes on mine again and said, "Yeah. Let's do that one." She slowly nodded her head, put down her purse, straightened her jacket and faced the center of the shop. With my two-bar setup, she began to sing, "Why should I be discouraged? Why should the shadows come?"
The audience of coffee drinkers was transfixed. Even the gurgling noises of the cappuccino machine ceased as the employees stopped what they were doing to listen. The song rose to its conclusion.
"I sing because I'm happy; I sing because I'm free. For His eye is on the sparrow And I know He watches me."
When the last note was sung, the applause crescendoed to a deafening roar that would have rivaled a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall. Embarrassed, the woman tried to shout over the din, "Oh, y'all go back to your coffee! I didn't come in here to do a concert! I just came in here to get somethin' to drink, just like you!"
But the ovation continued.. I embraced my new friend. "You, my dear, have made my whole year! That was beautiful!"
"Well, it's funny that you picked that particular hymn," she said.
"Why is that?"
"Well ." she hesitated again, "that was my daughter's favorite song."
"Really!" I exclaimed.
"Yes," she said, and then grabbed my hands. By this time, the applause had subsided and it was business as usual... "She was 16. She died of a brain tumor last week."
I said the first thing that found its way through my stunned silence. "Are you going to be okay?"
She smiled through tear-filled eyes and squeezed my hands. "I'm gonna be okay. I've just got to keep trusting the Lord and singing his songs, and everything's gonna be just fine."
She picked up her bag, gave me her card, and then she was gone.
Was it just a coincidence that we happened to be singing in that particular coffee shop on that particular November night? Coincidence that this wonderful lady just happened to walk into that particular shop? Coincidence that of all the hymns to choose from, I just happened to pick the very hymn that was the favorite of her daughter, who had died just the week before? I refuse to believe it.
God has been arranging encounters in human history since the beginning of time, and it's no stretch for me to imagine that he could reach into a coffee shop in midtown Manhattan and turn an ordinary gig into a revival. It was a great reminder that if we keep trusting him and singing his songs, everything's gonna be okay.
The next time you feel like GOD can't use YOU, remember, Noah was a drunk, Abraham was too old, Isaac was a daydreamer, Jacob was a liar, Leah was ugly, Joseph was abused, Moses had a stuttering problem, Gideon was afraid, Samson had long hair and was a womanizer, Rahab was a prostitute, Jeremiah and Timothy were too young, David had an affair and was a murderer, Elijah was suicidal, Isaiah preached naked, Jonah ran from God, Peter denied Christ, The Disciples fell asleep while praying, And Lazarus was dead!
No more excuses now!! God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thanksgiving..
So u thot the last post was cheesy..
Since it's Thanksgiving, I'm gonna talk about giving thanks at a time when you're just not "feeling it"..
I'm not gonna lie & say that this is always my "eternal-flowing-inner-sentiment", but I'm discovering more & more the virtues of positive thinking/praising God for the current circumstance..no matter what it is..(that's the tough part)..
The other day I walked to work--FROM MY HOUSE! Which after Googling I realize was a full 4 & a 1/2 miles from where I live..no wonder it took me nearly an hour & a 1/2..
This was a result of me just missing the last bus connection that that would've brought me to the mall where I work on time..the next bus wasn't due till 1/2 hour after I was supposed to BE at work..The reason for my initial busing expedition, was what I presumed a faulty connection in the electrics of my borrowed car, resulting in the dashboard lights not illuminating when I drove from work the night before..
My initial reaction to the situation:
--If the car I'm currently borrowing was in fully functioning order--or better yet (& this realization the true source of my annoyance), if I had a car of my own--this would be 1000% avoidable..
--Being a cloudy day, I'll probably get poured on & I don't have an umbrella..my freshly ironed work clothes will be ruined..
--I'll arrive at work hungry/tired & will still have to be on my feet after an hour + of walking..
While all of the above may have been true, since I'd determined my current position was unavoidable, I decided to look on the bright side..my stance then turned to...this:
--This hour walk SO takes care of my exercise for the day..
--While it's overcast, it's dry, resulting in less heat then if the sun was out & hey, as long as I'm not getting rained on, it's all good..
--A full hour of fresh air & looking at the Autumn colors throughout the full & floral residential areas of Smyrna & Vinnings, while listening to my favorite Metanoya on my phone, is actually more relaxing than anything else..
That kind of thinking brought me relaxed & invigorated to the restaurant where I'm working & had me hot-to-trot thru my following 6 hour shift..
It turns out that what I'd thot was a problem with the lights of my borrowed car, was merely a loose switch/dial that I'd accidentally turned down..(typical)..there wasn't a problem at all..but I had an enjoyable, DRY walk that turned out a pleasant experience instead of an awful one..
What do you have to be thankful for?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Since it's Thanksgiving, I'm gonna talk about giving thanks at a time when you're just not "feeling it"..
I'm not gonna lie & say that this is always my "eternal-flowing-inner-sentiment", but I'm discovering more & more the virtues of positive thinking/praising God for the current circumstance..no matter what it is..(that's the tough part)..
The other day I walked to work--FROM MY HOUSE! Which after Googling I realize was a full 4 & a 1/2 miles from where I live..no wonder it took me nearly an hour & a 1/2..
This was a result of me just missing the last bus connection that that would've brought me to the mall where I work on time..the next bus wasn't due till 1/2 hour after I was supposed to BE at work..The reason for my initial busing expedition, was what I presumed a faulty connection in the electrics of my borrowed car, resulting in the dashboard lights not illuminating when I drove from work the night before..
My initial reaction to the situation:
--If the car I'm currently borrowing was in fully functioning order--or better yet (& this realization the true source of my annoyance), if I had a car of my own--this would be 1000% avoidable..
--Being a cloudy day, I'll probably get poured on & I don't have an umbrella..my freshly ironed work clothes will be ruined..
--I'll arrive at work hungry/tired & will still have to be on my feet after an hour + of walking..
While all of the above may have been true, since I'd determined my current position was unavoidable, I decided to look on the bright side..my stance then turned to...this:
--This hour walk SO takes care of my exercise for the day..
--While it's overcast, it's dry, resulting in less heat then if the sun was out & hey, as long as I'm not getting rained on, it's all good..
--A full hour of fresh air & looking at the Autumn colors throughout the full & floral residential areas of Smyrna & Vinnings, while listening to my favorite Metanoya on my phone, is actually more relaxing than anything else..
That kind of thinking brought me relaxed & invigorated to the restaurant where I'm working & had me hot-to-trot thru my following 6 hour shift..
It turns out that what I'd thot was a problem with the lights of my borrowed car, was merely a loose switch/dial that I'd accidentally turned down..(typical)..there wasn't a problem at all..but I had an enjoyable, DRY walk that turned out a pleasant experience instead of an awful one..
What do you have to be thankful for?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Price moments..
It amazes me at how short a day really is..24 hours sometimes seems to just fly by & we're left looking back at a week that was a joint effort of 7 seamless days that just passed with our barely glancing twice..
But then at the same time, when you stop & think about it, there are a lot of little moments in each day that make up noteworthy events, even though they may be little...when you do stop to notice..
The other day I read something in a book by Kevin Trudeau about getting 15 minutes of sunlight a day & the health benefits attached..now I see that 10 minute walk from the bus, or that little "pause" in the sun outside the mall on my break in a totally different way..
..then the fact that we had 2 weeks of straight sun this month proved another thing to get happy about..During said 2 wks the Autumn colors were in full display & just stepping outside anywhere here in Georgia seemed a treat..
The other day at work I happened to overhear one of my guests speaking Dutch with her son at one of my tables (I work at a restaurant) this was all I needed to launch into a full-on, albeit broken, 20 minute Dutch conversation with her & we were both thrilled as we relayed to each other in a language that we both loved (neither of us being originally Dutch, by the way) the events that made up our lives up till our "chance" meeting that day..
Just yesterday & today I had the most quality 24 hour visit one could have with a missionary family I've been very close to over the last 10 years in Birmingham, Alabama..the smiles on their children's faces & the care & concern I receive from the parents (who, incidentally, have adopted me as one of their children) warms my heart to the full & is truly irreplaceable...totally special..
Life is made up of these type moments..
Let's savor these as much as we would the big things that come our way...cuz hey, those "biggies" may not come around that often..
But then at the same time, when you stop & think about it, there are a lot of little moments in each day that make up noteworthy events, even though they may be little...when you do stop to notice..
The other day I read something in a book by Kevin Trudeau about getting 15 minutes of sunlight a day & the health benefits attached..now I see that 10 minute walk from the bus, or that little "pause" in the sun outside the mall on my break in a totally different way..
..then the fact that we had 2 weeks of straight sun this month proved another thing to get happy about..During said 2 wks the Autumn colors were in full display & just stepping outside anywhere here in Georgia seemed a treat..
The other day at work I happened to overhear one of my guests speaking Dutch with her son at one of my tables (I work at a restaurant) this was all I needed to launch into a full-on, albeit broken, 20 minute Dutch conversation with her & we were both thrilled as we relayed to each other in a language that we both loved (neither of us being originally Dutch, by the way) the events that made up our lives up till our "chance" meeting that day..
Just yesterday & today I had the most quality 24 hour visit one could have with a missionary family I've been very close to over the last 10 years in Birmingham, Alabama..the smiles on their children's faces & the care & concern I receive from the parents (who, incidentally, have adopted me as one of their children) warms my heart to the full & is truly irreplaceable...totally special..
Life is made up of these type moments..
Let's savor these as much as we would the big things that come our way...cuz hey, those "biggies" may not come around that often..
Thursday, November 04, 2010
perseverance..
is something we all need to make it along as times wax tougher & tougher..
I love these already put together acronyms that hit a certain cord in my heart & say what I would've wanted to say..
I won't take credit for the little "breakdown" below, but it'll ring just as true, nonetheless..hope it encourages you today..
* Persist no matter what.
* Endure discomfort.
* Request help.
* Steadfastly hold on to your beliefs and values.
* Envision triumph.
* Very consistently keep at it.
* Embrace adversity as your teacher.
* Refuse to give up.
* Enjoy and celebrate every tiny bit of progress!
I love these already put together acronyms that hit a certain cord in my heart & say what I would've wanted to say..
I won't take credit for the little "breakdown" below, but it'll ring just as true, nonetheless..hope it encourages you today..
* Persist no matter what.
* Endure discomfort.
* Request help.
* Steadfastly hold on to your beliefs and values.
* Envision triumph.
* Very consistently keep at it.
* Embrace adversity as your teacher.
* Refuse to give up.
* Enjoy and celebrate every tiny bit of progress!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Chain of events...
Since coming home to the States I've experienced a feeling of an "adventurless" lull..not that I haven't been busy experiencing/learning/doing/loving life..but somehow it feels like the adventure is finished now that I'm not "charting foreign lands"..but that obviously doesn't have to be the case..
Even if I'm not in the middle of the Nigerian jungle giving a child malaria medicine, or seeing an elephant up close at an East African elephant sanctuary, or having grand South African braai & beer by the pool with all of my friends..(sighs to himself)..doesn't mean that there's no adventures to be had here in the good ol' US of A..
Meanwhile, I feel I should say that this time of life is a transitional/discovery faze..While I don't feel that my missionary days are over, I'm excited at the idea of spending some time home enhancing my education, work experience, job history, home network, etc. I've just taken on part time jobs here & am looking into study options, deciding on what courses to take is, Thank God, going to be the only challenge...Innovation, forward thinking, new projects, thinking ahead to the future inspires me to endure the humble beginnings of a new era that will, God willing, take me into a billion new adventures..each grander & fuller than the last..
Here are some photos of recentness for all u who aren't on facebook (&/or on my facebook)...
w/ family & friends of family at my cousin's goodbye (off to College)..
Playing penguin at the Georgia Aquarium w/ my cousin, Ilona, who was visiting from Holland..
in true Atlanta tradition having hot dogs/fries at the Varsity, down-town..
my "bling-bling" nephew, Dorian, aged 3...
Even if I'm not in the middle of the Nigerian jungle giving a child malaria medicine, or seeing an elephant up close at an East African elephant sanctuary, or having grand South African braai & beer by the pool with all of my friends..(sighs to himself)..doesn't mean that there's no adventures to be had here in the good ol' US of A..
Meanwhile, I feel I should say that this time of life is a transitional/discovery faze..While I don't feel that my missionary days are over, I'm excited at the idea of spending some time home enhancing my education, work experience, job history, home network, etc. I've just taken on part time jobs here & am looking into study options, deciding on what courses to take is, Thank God, going to be the only challenge...Innovation, forward thinking, new projects, thinking ahead to the future inspires me to endure the humble beginnings of a new era that will, God willing, take me into a billion new adventures..each grander & fuller than the last..
Here are some photos of recentness for all u who aren't on facebook (&/or on my facebook)...
w/ family & friends of family at my cousin's goodbye (off to College)..
Playing penguin at the Georgia Aquarium w/ my cousin, Ilona, who was visiting from Holland..
in true Atlanta tradition having hot dogs/fries at the Varsity, down-town..
my "bling-bling" nephew, Dorian, aged 3...
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Hang on..
Below is a quote I read today by Maria Fontaine that encouraged me..
I've just taken on 2 part-time jobs & am looking into a 3rd 1..trying to save up for a vehicle, getting set-up here in the States, hoping to get my own place, get into some colleges to enhance my studies over the next months, etc.. the challenges are ever-present, large & looming..but that's where faith comes in.
The Lord is taking us deeper into the spirit world all the time and requiring us to keep stretching our faith. He says, “Wherever you’re at in your faith life, you can be sure that I’ll stretch you further. And that’s a good thing!” I’ll repeat what the Lord said: Stretching our faith is a good thing! It doesn’t feel so good sometimes when the Lord stretches us, but because we know that it’s good, we can really praise the Lord for those experiences
when they present themselves!
(Link 61, paraphrased)
I've just taken on 2 part-time jobs & am looking into a 3rd 1..trying to save up for a vehicle, getting set-up here in the States, hoping to get my own place, get into some colleges to enhance my studies over the next months, etc.. the challenges are ever-present, large & looming..but that's where faith comes in.
The Lord is taking us deeper into the spirit world all the time and requiring us to keep stretching our faith. He says, “Wherever you’re at in your faith life, you can be sure that I’ll stretch you further. And that’s a good thing!” I’ll repeat what the Lord said: Stretching our faith is a good thing! It doesn’t feel so good sometimes when the Lord stretches us, but because we know that it’s good, we can really praise the Lord for those experiences
when they present themselves!
(Link 61, paraphrased)
Saturday, September 04, 2010
Fwd: "Compassion"
A friend sent this to my e-mail box the other day...Powerful..Heavy..
A blind girl hated herself because she was blind.
She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend.
He was always there for her.
She told her boyfriend, "If I could only see the
world, I will marry you."
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the
bandages came off , she was able to see everything,
including her boyfriend.
He asked her 'Now that you can see the world, will you
marry me?'
The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind.
The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't
expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of
her life led her to refuse to marry him.
Her boyfriend left her in tears and days later wrote a note
to her saying : 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear;
before they were yours, they were mine. '
This is how the human brain often works when our
'status changes'.
Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who
was always by their side in the most painful situations.
Life Is a Gift
Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who
can't speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of
someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of
someone who's crying out to for a companion.
Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who
went to the grave too early
Before you complain about your children - Think of someone
who desires children but they're barren.
Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't
clean or sweep - Think of the people who are living in the
streets.
Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of
someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think
of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had
your job.
But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning
another - Remember that not one of us is without error and
we all answer to the same GOD.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a
smile on your face and Thank GOD you're alive and still
around.
A blind girl hated herself because she was blind.
She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend.
He was always there for her.
She told her boyfriend, "If I could only see the
world, I will marry you."
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the
bandages came off , she was able to see everything,
including her boyfriend.
He asked her 'Now that you can see the world, will you
marry me?'
The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind.
The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't
expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of
her life led her to refuse to marry him.
Her boyfriend left her in tears and days later wrote a note
to her saying : 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear;
before they were yours, they were mine. '
This is how the human brain often works when our
'status changes'.
Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who
was always by their side in the most painful situations.
Life Is a Gift
Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who
can't speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of
someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of
someone who's crying out to for a companion.
Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who
went to the grave too early
Before you complain about your children - Think of someone
who desires children but they're barren.
Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't
clean or sweep - Think of the people who are living in the
streets.
Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of
someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think
of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had
your job.
But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning
another - Remember that not one of us is without error and
we all answer to the same GOD.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a
smile on your face and Thank GOD you're alive and still
around.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
The Glorious Outside..
"Take a walk & look outside
Breath the air, feel good inside
Isn't it good to be alive?"
Quoting Metanoya's beautiful ballad there..
But you'd be surprised at the multiple health-benefits to walks outdoors, apart from the obvious= exercise.
Review my own discovery to these recent walking health-related perks on my hub-pages write up..
http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Glorious-Outside
Breath the air, feel good inside
Isn't it good to be alive?"
Quoting Metanoya's beautiful ballad there..
But you'd be surprised at the multiple health-benefits to walks outdoors, apart from the obvious= exercise.
Review my own discovery to these recent walking health-related perks on my hub-pages write up..
http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Glorious-Outside
Friday, August 20, 2010
check it..
3 great tips to aid you on your "health quest" today..
http://hubpages.com/hub/3healthhops
enjoy..
(I apologize again for the copy-paste requirements attached to viewing URLs posted on this blog..blogger doesn't let me embed links directly onto my pages...don't ask me why)
http://hubpages.com/hub/3healthhops
enjoy..
(I apologize again for the copy-paste requirements attached to viewing URLs posted on this blog..blogger doesn't let me embed links directly onto my pages...don't ask me why)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
HUB PAGES..
This is the new website that I'll be posting on these days..
Ad 4 life will continue to run..but as you've noticed, since my arrival in the U.S. the postings have been rather..shall we say, "slow in coming"..This is cause the exciting happenings that made up the majority of my adventures in Africa over the last 10 years of my life, will also be slow in coming over the next few months, as I plow through the more mundane routines needed to assist me in getting set-up in my next stage of life here in the States..
But the good news (for all of you who follow this blog) is that I will still be writing & posting regularly on the internet..
My new focus in writing will be on the topic of health..posting on a different website called hubpages..While posting there, I will include a summarized version, or a hyperlink here on ad for life..
The link for my hub-pages profile is: http://hubpages.com/profile/Brian+Whyte
See you there ;)
Ad 4 life will continue to run..but as you've noticed, since my arrival in the U.S. the postings have been rather..shall we say, "slow in coming"..This is cause the exciting happenings that made up the majority of my adventures in Africa over the last 10 years of my life, will also be slow in coming over the next few months, as I plow through the more mundane routines needed to assist me in getting set-up in my next stage of life here in the States..
But the good news (for all of you who follow this blog) is that I will still be writing & posting regularly on the internet..
My new focus in writing will be on the topic of health..posting on a different website called hubpages..While posting there, I will include a summarized version, or a hyperlink here on ad for life..
The link for my hub-pages profile is: http://hubpages.com/profile/Brian+Whyte
See you there ;)
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Back in the States..
After being away 3 years..
Last time I was here was only 4 a couple months anyway..
It's been a while since I was up on this page...a long break due to closing World Cup projects, then major car issues, then packing & preparing for almost 40 hours of flying...
Well, I've been here for nearly 2 weeks, so no excuses after I arrived here..
It's been great seeing all my family again (Sister, Grandmama, cousins, etc.) as well as spending a little more extensive time w/ my Grandmother, my sister, Phebe & my nephew, Dorian..Also, wasted no time in starting work on my license, resume for job hunts, etc. So it's busy times yet again, but also trying to relax/take a break at the same time..
Most anyone who has tried to keep up w/ this blog, has likely given up by now, as my posts are always so sporadic...but maybe that's what keeps it exciting? (He asked, directing the question to himself at the same time..)
Anyways, here I am & here I shall stay...find me here anytime & look forward to more frequent postings..(and no, that's not yet another empty promise)..
I'll close w/ this quote I read in July's issue of activated today:
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.--The Dalai Lama
Last time I was here was only 4 a couple months anyway..
It's been a while since I was up on this page...a long break due to closing World Cup projects, then major car issues, then packing & preparing for almost 40 hours of flying...
Well, I've been here for nearly 2 weeks, so no excuses after I arrived here..
It's been great seeing all my family again (Sister, Grandmama, cousins, etc.) as well as spending a little more extensive time w/ my Grandmother, my sister, Phebe & my nephew, Dorian..Also, wasted no time in starting work on my license, resume for job hunts, etc. So it's busy times yet again, but also trying to relax/take a break at the same time..
Most anyone who has tried to keep up w/ this blog, has likely given up by now, as my posts are always so sporadic...but maybe that's what keeps it exciting? (He asked, directing the question to himself at the same time..)
Anyways, here I am & here I shall stay...find me here anytime & look forward to more frequent postings..(and no, that's not yet another empty promise)..
I'll close w/ this quote I read in July's issue of activated today:
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.--The Dalai Lama
Monday, July 05, 2010
Answered prayers..
..."and while they are yet speaking, I will hear"..
My friend in Belgium, had a different diagnosis since we've been praying & now it seems it's only a thyroid problem in her leg, not the bad circulation first expected..
Hugo of Eman & Lita is back at home & recovering well..
No wonder we keep praying...it moves God toward our behalf in time of need...
Try it sometime if you haven't recently...
;)
My friend in Belgium, had a different diagnosis since we've been praying & now it seems it's only a thyroid problem in her leg, not the bad circulation first expected..
Hugo of Eman & Lita is back at home & recovering well..
No wonder we keep praying...it moves God toward our behalf in time of need...
Try it sometime if you haven't recently...
;)
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Pray for my friends..
My sister sent me this e-mail, w/ this urgent prayer request:
Hi Everyone,
Just a quick note to you all:
J. just phoned and told me that yesterday G. was brought to the hospital, she has a acute swelling in her one of her legs.
She has had this for quite some time now but never had it checked up until recently.
It seems her blood is not circulating in the bottom half of her leg, the doctors told her if the blood doesn’t start flowing probably within a short time that there is a possibility that they will have to amputate her leg.
I’m quite taken back by this, it comes as a quite a shock.
Nobody expects something like this to happen to someone you know.
So I want to ask if you all can pray for her, pray that the blood starts to circulate and that she can keep her leg.
Thanks a lot.
Lots of love,
Christina
Also, my dear friends Eman & Lita have their baby boy in the hospital w/ pneumonia as a result of contracting measles which is going around Africa hectically right now..He's had trouble breathing & had to be put on oxygen..
Pls. pray desperately for the Lord to keep his little life safe & that he'll heal completely w/ no side affects...
TY!
Hi Everyone,
Just a quick note to you all:
J. just phoned and told me that yesterday G. was brought to the hospital, she has a acute swelling in her one of her legs.
She has had this for quite some time now but never had it checked up until recently.
It seems her blood is not circulating in the bottom half of her leg, the doctors told her if the blood doesn’t start flowing probably within a short time that there is a possibility that they will have to amputate her leg.
I’m quite taken back by this, it comes as a quite a shock.
Nobody expects something like this to happen to someone you know.
So I want to ask if you all can pray for her, pray that the blood starts to circulate and that she can keep her leg.
Thanks a lot.
Lots of love,
Christina
Also, my dear friends Eman & Lita have their baby boy in the hospital w/ pneumonia as a result of contracting measles which is going around Africa hectically right now..He's had trouble breathing & had to be put on oxygen..
Pls. pray desperately for the Lord to keep his little life safe & that he'll heal completely w/ no side affects...
TY!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
AYOBAAAAAAAAAAA...
Well, we didn't win...but the action was amazing & worth every bit of rejoicing we did last night..
Get ALL the action at this link..
http://playing2win.com/blog/?page_id=62
Get ALL the action at this link..
http://playing2win.com/blog/?page_id=62
Monday, June 14, 2010
FIFA 2010 so far...
Obviously, the whole world is following..
as mentioned in an earlier post, TFI (The Family International) is doing a LOT during this month in evangalistation & humanitarian projects throughout..
Friday's kick-off saw us performing at a township in Zandspruit Community along w/ North Point City Church..That day the SA/Mex & Uruguay/France games were held..
Yesterday we performed outside Hatfield Stadium in Pretoria all day Sunday before the Serbia/Ghana & Australia/Germany games..
The vibe was amazing...the performances were spontaneous (although pre-practiced) & continuous & a mighty witness went out...
The display of color, vibrancy, joy, excitement & just plain fun was captured by our thorough & professional documentation team..
http://playing2win.com
is where it's all logged & blogged... make sure you're there at some point. Awesome.
(unfortunately blogger's not letting me add a hyperlink right now, so you'll have to cut & paste that code above...)
Friday, June 04, 2010
200th POST ON AD 4 LIFE!!!...XD & other recent pics...
This is where I spent the 1st 2 wks of May..
XD (Xtreme Disciple) was a life-changing & helped me realign my goals in life in light of the years ahead & all that I'll face as God does new things for me & all of us...
Me & my mentoring group..
Isn't she cute?
Steve's B'day..
At Gold Reef City..
During a donated Team Building session as one of the scheduled activities...
Forum in small groups...where the practical application on the life-skills presented takes place..
W/ Bible students, Active Members & friends in Lusaka, Zambia, shortly before my 30th B'day...
Happy B'day to me...my 1st B'day in Zam...probably the last?
Some of the drama and witnessing team we took to UNZA (University of Zambia)that day...
FIFA 2010 World Cup South Africa starting in 7 days..
AND WE'RE READY FOR IT!
We've a lot of plans to make the most of this time in the way of reaching all the millions (figurative, not literal) who will come down here w/ inspiration & a message of God's Love.
Apart from that, we'll also be coordinating projects w/ other volunteer orginisations who will solicit help from overseas volunteers to conduct projects to help the needy here in Africa, taking advantage of some of the manpower from outside the country during the World Cup month.
Stay tuned for regular project updates conducted by TFI (The Family International) in the Gauteng area & throughout SA.
We've a lot of plans to make the most of this time in the way of reaching all the millions (figurative, not literal) who will come down here w/ inspiration & a message of God's Love.
Apart from that, we'll also be coordinating projects w/ other volunteer orginisations who will solicit help from overseas volunteers to conduct projects to help the needy here in Africa, taking advantage of some of the manpower from outside the country during the World Cup month.
Stay tuned for regular project updates conducted by TFI (The Family International) in the Gauteng area & throughout SA.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Lately...
..The measles has been going around Gauteng, (all of SA, actually) & I'm so glad I had it when I was little..
..Helping conduct the XD seminar was a truly enjoyable experience..
..Solidifying plans on 3 new projects to do w/ the World Cup that will be conducted from the 11th of June, till the 15th of July...
..The SCM (Student Christian Movement) started by Phoebe & Simon has been growing & going extremely well...Reaching those kids in that township high school is a top thrill (personally, at least)...
..I've started working out again after a 4 week break (2 wks Bronchy, 2 wks XD)..
So there's an end to a month-long silence..
What's up w/ u?
..Helping conduct the XD seminar was a truly enjoyable experience..
..Solidifying plans on 3 new projects to do w/ the World Cup that will be conducted from the 11th of June, till the 15th of July...
..The SCM (Student Christian Movement) started by Phoebe & Simon has been growing & going extremely well...Reaching those kids in that township high school is a top thrill (personally, at least)...
..I've started working out again after a 4 week break (2 wks Bronchy, 2 wks XD)..
So there's an end to a month-long silence..
What's up w/ u?
Monday, May 03, 2010
Happy B'day Mom!
May you have all the love, fun, joy, happiness, attention, gifts, spoiling, laughs, etc. that you deserve on this special day, as well as everything you've asked of the Lord this coming year..
You're so special to me & to millions of others & I wish I could've been there to celebrate w/ you..
Enjoy it & know that my prayers are w/ you every day for the year ahead..
Happy Birthday!
--Your son
P.S. & remember: If their are so many candles that you can no longer see the cake...you know you're getting old...;) LY!
You're so special to me & to millions of others & I wish I could've been there to celebrate w/ you..
Enjoy it & know that my prayers are w/ you every day for the year ahead..
Happy Birthday!
--Your son
P.S. & remember: If their are so many candles that you can no longer see the cake...you know you're getting old...;) LY!
Another dry spell...
It's been weeks since this page was updated..
I'm gonna have to stop permanantly blaming bad internet connections & find a better solution..
But in case you're not on my FB list, I'll have you know that I have been down w/ a major case of Bronchitis that I contracted via my lungs being severely chilled on 2 nights on a bus (up from Livingstone (after I went to Vic Falls), then again down to Jo'berg from Lusaka the following night)..
But I'm on the up & up...lots of ppl have been praying for me & I've seen a doctor who put me on a STRONG antibiotic..
so, TTL...God is good..all the time..
But I'll be around & have not forgotton my desire to share my life's "Adventures" w/ all of you..
Don't give up on me..yet...;)
I'm gonna have to stop permanantly blaming bad internet connections & find a better solution..
But in case you're not on my FB list, I'll have you know that I have been down w/ a major case of Bronchitis that I contracted via my lungs being severely chilled on 2 nights on a bus (up from Livingstone (after I went to Vic Falls), then again down to Jo'berg from Lusaka the following night)..
But I'm on the up & up...lots of ppl have been praying for me & I've seen a doctor who put me on a STRONG antibiotic..
so, TTL...God is good..all the time..
But I'll be around & have not forgotton my desire to share my life's "Adventures" w/ all of you..
Don't give up on me..yet...;)
Friday, April 09, 2010
Trip down...
Believe it or not, I'm still in Zam..
I know..6 weeks & counting...& I was only meant to be here for a month..(guess I'm only 2 wks overdue, in that case..)
It's been fun & I like Zambia a lot..
What's kept me here is that there's a chance that one of our missionaries will drive down to S.A. for business...the question is: When?? I've been expecting this trip to happen for approx. 2 weeks now..but it's delayed for one reason or another..
Seeing as prayer is uber-powerful, pls help me by praying for the following:
--That the Lord will supply the needed finances for the trip down
--That the other factors that the team here are waiting for to fall into place will (accomodation down there, appointments w/ associates, possible clients etc.).
--That I'll have wisdom in knowing if I should go back down early, or wait for the drive & cash in..
--(Unrelated, but hey) For my whole Nigeria timing to gel as well...that the Lord will show me when to go up now in light of the XD & all (happening in SA in May..I'll be helping w/ that)...that Rebecca will be patient in waiting for me & not be annoyed that I'm stalling & giving her random/unclear answers...(Sorry, Becks XO..).
TX guys! I need you!
I know..6 weeks & counting...& I was only meant to be here for a month..(guess I'm only 2 wks overdue, in that case..)
It's been fun & I like Zambia a lot..
What's kept me here is that there's a chance that one of our missionaries will drive down to S.A. for business...the question is: When?? I've been expecting this trip to happen for approx. 2 weeks now..but it's delayed for one reason or another..
Seeing as prayer is uber-powerful, pls help me by praying for the following:
--That the Lord will supply the needed finances for the trip down
--That the other factors that the team here are waiting for to fall into place will (accomodation down there, appointments w/ associates, possible clients etc.).
--That I'll have wisdom in knowing if I should go back down early, or wait for the drive & cash in..
--(Unrelated, but hey) For my whole Nigeria timing to gel as well...that the Lord will show me when to go up now in light of the XD & all (happening in SA in May..I'll be helping w/ that)...that Rebecca will be patient in waiting for me & not be annoyed that I'm stalling & giving her random/unclear answers...(Sorry, Becks XO..).
TX guys! I need you!
Thursday, April 01, 2010
The Wonder of Easter!
(Excerpted from Maria Fontaine's 2010 Easter message)
The Easter season is a wonderful opportunity for Christians everywhere to unite as we praise our living, risen Savior! I think that Pope John Paul II expressed the Christian perspective on the resurrection so well when he said, “We are the Easter people and ‘hallelujah’ is our song!”
Because He rose, I, too, shall rise,
Shall rise and walk and dance and sing;
And there shall be no grief, no pain,
Nor any tears, remembering!
—Martha Snell Nicholson
Easter represents all that our salvation is (John 11:25–26).—And THAT’S worth celebrating! Easter stands for everything that has been and forever will be possible in our resurrection-empowered lives. It represents:
• Freedom from condemnation of past mistakes and failures (Rom.8:1).
• Liberation from fear of death (Heb.2:14–15).
• The guarantee of hope for an eternal future in a Home that Jesus has gone to prepare for us (John 14:2–3).
• An alternative to the temporal, sin-laden, suffering-plagued existence of this world (John 16:33).
• The opening of the door of Heaven to us.
• The blind given sight (1Pet.2:9; John 9:25).
• Common men and women becoming kings and queens (Rev.5:9–10).
• The drowning man rescued.
• The brand snatched from the burning (Zec.3:2).
• The power to preach good tidings, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isa.61:1,3).
• The paralyzed becoming mobile (Mat.11:5).
• The earth coming to life in the spring.
• The knowledge that man can live forever (1John 2:17).
• A demonstration that anything wonderful can happen when all hope seems gone.
• Complete forgiveness (Isa.1:18).
• Freedom from the law of death (Rom.8:2).
• The truth let loose in the world (John 1:17).
• The sting taken out of death (1Cor.15:55).
• The guarantee that there are no illnesses nor pain in Heaven (Rev.21:4).
• The promise of eternal life with our loved ones (Acts 16:31).
• The assurance of a glorious future, no matter how bad the world gets.
• The power to conquer all impossibilities (Luke 1:37).
• Divine healing power (Mark 16:17–18).
• A way of life, not just a religion or a ritual (John 10:10).
• The Gladys Aylwards of the world cradling abandoned babies in their arms.
• Powerful prayer ministries like those of Sophie the Washerwoman.
• Jesus' ambassadors all over the world undergoing severe afflictions and struggles, but continuing steadfast in their missions in poverty-stricken and war-torn countries.
• Those short on finances, welcoming the destitute into their homes and lovingly sharing their limited resources with them.
He Who was the Spirit of Love and the Spirit of Life was destroyed in the flesh, but His Spirit could not be destroyed (Luke 23:46; 1Pet.3:18). What was destroyed for all who turn to Jesus was the power of sin and death, the spirit of the world, and those spiritual forces bound to them. Their power was broken and conquered by Christ for any who would receive His gift of sacrificial love. These forces of Satan no longer have any power or authority over His children beyond what Jesus allows for a purpose: to teach us and strengthen us, to cause our witness to shine even brighter, and to draw us closer to Him.
What Jesus did through His death and resurrection to bring us salvation is something so very mysterious and beyond our human comprehension that we won’t be able to fully understand it until we’re liberated from the realm of the flesh into the spirit—and maybe not even then. However, every time we reflect on what Jesus did for each one of us—and for all of us—it renews our sense of reverence and awe.
Happy Easter, everybody!
--Brian Whyte
The Easter season is a wonderful opportunity for Christians everywhere to unite as we praise our living, risen Savior! I think that Pope John Paul II expressed the Christian perspective on the resurrection so well when he said, “We are the Easter people and ‘hallelujah’ is our song!”
Because He rose, I, too, shall rise,
Shall rise and walk and dance and sing;
And there shall be no grief, no pain,
Nor any tears, remembering!
—Martha Snell Nicholson
Easter represents all that our salvation is (John 11:25–26).—And THAT’S worth celebrating! Easter stands for everything that has been and forever will be possible in our resurrection-empowered lives. It represents:
• Freedom from condemnation of past mistakes and failures (Rom.8:1).
• Liberation from fear of death (Heb.2:14–15).
• The guarantee of hope for an eternal future in a Home that Jesus has gone to prepare for us (John 14:2–3).
• An alternative to the temporal, sin-laden, suffering-plagued existence of this world (John 16:33).
• The opening of the door of Heaven to us.
• The blind given sight (1Pet.2:9; John 9:25).
• Common men and women becoming kings and queens (Rev.5:9–10).
• The drowning man rescued.
• The brand snatched from the burning (Zec.3:2).
• The power to preach good tidings, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isa.61:1,3).
• The paralyzed becoming mobile (Mat.11:5).
• The earth coming to life in the spring.
• The knowledge that man can live forever (1John 2:17).
• A demonstration that anything wonderful can happen when all hope seems gone.
• Complete forgiveness (Isa.1:18).
• Freedom from the law of death (Rom.8:2).
• The truth let loose in the world (John 1:17).
• The sting taken out of death (1Cor.15:55).
• The guarantee that there are no illnesses nor pain in Heaven (Rev.21:4).
• The promise of eternal life with our loved ones (Acts 16:31).
• The assurance of a glorious future, no matter how bad the world gets.
• The power to conquer all impossibilities (Luke 1:37).
• Divine healing power (Mark 16:17–18).
• A way of life, not just a religion or a ritual (John 10:10).
• The Gladys Aylwards of the world cradling abandoned babies in their arms.
• Powerful prayer ministries like those of Sophie the Washerwoman.
• Jesus' ambassadors all over the world undergoing severe afflictions and struggles, but continuing steadfast in their missions in poverty-stricken and war-torn countries.
• Those short on finances, welcoming the destitute into their homes and lovingly sharing their limited resources with them.
He Who was the Spirit of Love and the Spirit of Life was destroyed in the flesh, but His Spirit could not be destroyed (Luke 23:46; 1Pet.3:18). What was destroyed for all who turn to Jesus was the power of sin and death, the spirit of the world, and those spiritual forces bound to them. Their power was broken and conquered by Christ for any who would receive His gift of sacrificial love. These forces of Satan no longer have any power or authority over His children beyond what Jesus allows for a purpose: to teach us and strengthen us, to cause our witness to shine even brighter, and to draw us closer to Him.
What Jesus did through His death and resurrection to bring us salvation is something so very mysterious and beyond our human comprehension that we won’t be able to fully understand it until we’re liberated from the realm of the flesh into the spirit—and maybe not even then. However, every time we reflect on what Jesus did for each one of us—and for all of us—it renews our sense of reverence and awe.
Happy Easter, everybody!
--Brian Whyte
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
30!
Well, it's a new decade! Hallelujah! During the days & weeks preceding this B'day, when thinking about the future, I had reservations..turning 30..Change Journey..still single (as in, unmarried)..
In light of the past decade of thrills/adventures/lives changed (mostly mine), etc. I wondered how the coming years could compare & I wondered if the best part of my life is really already done..
But man, is the fun just beginning..The Lord has been speaking to me via different sources (The Word, my loved ones) @ the possiblities the future holds..I'm pumped w/ ideas & I know that Change is gonna be THE adjective in my life this year & all the ideas that I have, if coupled w/ faith & God's power, WILL result (And if I was in Nigeria, I'd add: "IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JE-SUS!!).
But besides that, even just on account of the past & what I have in my life today, I have every cause to be happy.
Then on top of that, I received 70+ B'day greetings via Facebook, e-mail & phone this year..I was elated & felt, quite frankly, honored...
Thank you, God, for my family & my friends...Each of you mean the world to me..Yes, already at 30, I've lived a full & productive life. If I died today, I'd die happy. ;)Below are 2 of my favorite B'day greetings this year:
"Glad you are my son :) So nice to talk to you today Brian. And once more a very Happy Birthday. The sky is the limit this coming year, so let's go and get some piece of sky!! You can do it."
Guess who that was from?--Obviously my Mom..
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN! I PRAY THAT YOU HAD A TRULY BLESSED DAY!
You are such a wonderful young man, and we are so proud of you and love you very much.
We look forward to seeing you whenever you are able to visit. In the meantime, know that you are
in our prayers every day.
GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO WE!!!
Love, Hugs, and Kisses and many many blessings!
Auntie Darice, Uncle Julius, Stacie, Teri, and Julius Jr."
In light of the past decade of thrills/adventures/lives changed (mostly mine), etc. I wondered how the coming years could compare & I wondered if the best part of my life is really already done..
But man, is the fun just beginning..The Lord has been speaking to me via different sources (The Word, my loved ones) @ the possiblities the future holds..I'm pumped w/ ideas & I know that Change is gonna be THE adjective in my life this year & all the ideas that I have, if coupled w/ faith & God's power, WILL result (And if I was in Nigeria, I'd add: "IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JE-SUS!!).
But besides that, even just on account of the past & what I have in my life today, I have every cause to be happy.
Then on top of that, I received 70+ B'day greetings via Facebook, e-mail & phone this year..I was elated & felt, quite frankly, honored...
Thank you, God, for my family & my friends...Each of you mean the world to me..Yes, already at 30, I've lived a full & productive life. If I died today, I'd die happy. ;)Below are 2 of my favorite B'day greetings this year:
"Glad you are my son :) So nice to talk to you today Brian. And once more a very Happy Birthday. The sky is the limit this coming year, so let's go and get some piece of sky!! You can do it."
Guess who that was from?--Obviously my Mom..
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN! I PRAY THAT YOU HAD A TRULY BLESSED DAY!
You are such a wonderful young man, and we are so proud of you and love you very much.
We look forward to seeing you whenever you are able to visit. In the meantime, know that you are
in our prayers every day.
GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO WE!!!
Love, Hugs, and Kisses and many many blessings!
Auntie Darice, Uncle Julius, Stacie, Teri, and Julius Jr."
Monday, March 22, 2010
Kidnapped!
In urgent need of prayer right now are 2 of my friends, Simon & Ikumi, currently in south of Nigeria. They've been taken hostage by who I do not know, but I know that they're in potentially huge danger. However I do have faith that the Lord will deliver them. I need all of you to join me in immediate & desperate prayer for ther safe & speedy deliverance.
I can only imagine the anguish & emotional turmoil that both of their families have undergone are currently undergoing.
I'm not sure all the politics involved, but I know that various militia groups have been operating in the Delta region of Nigeria where all the oil rigs are situated, targeting oil workers and or their loved ones as potential avenues of high high ransoms. At it's highest point, which I believe was late 2007, all foreign oil workers were evacuated from the country. Although the situation subsided somewhat, kidnappings have continued to occur since & the majority of both oil workers & expatriate workers in general in the Port Harcourt area usually travel w/ an or several armed escorts..
I know that the Family is conducting a large-scale medical camp in this area (as of today) & my guess is that Simon & Ikumi were somewhere in the interior driving between one place & another to do w/ the camp (possibly between the hotel & the camp site, or collecting supplies from somewhere) & either forgot to or didn't think to bring an armed escort & were accosted. These kidnappings usually occur at night. Whether or not this was the case this time, I'm not sure.
In any case, I know that prayer is the most powerful weapon we have.I pretty much have prayed for these 2 non-stop since getting this news, w/ a concentrated hour-long vigil held from 10:30-11:30 p.m. last night, & am also doing a 24-hour fast, which began from the moment I heard the news yesterday evening. If any of you out there do any of the above mentioned prayer methods, I know this will
help bring about their speedy release..
As I was praying I claimed many of the Psalms of David which I read throughout my prayer vigil. Psalm 17 in particular came alive in this situation, which reads:
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord,
Attend to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer wichi si not from decietful lips.
2 Let my vindication come from Your presence;
Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.
4 Concerning the works of men,
By the word of Your lips,
I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
5 Uphold my steps in Your paths,
That my footsteps may not slip.
6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me,
O God;
Incline Your ear to em ,and hear my sppech.
7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
O You who save those who trust in You
From those who rise up agains them.
8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
9 From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me.
11 They have surrounded us now in our steps;
They have set their eyes, crouching down to the eart,
13 Arise, O Lord,
Confront him, cast him down;
Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,
14 With Your hand from men, O Lord,
From men of the world who have their portion in this life...
15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.--Psalm 17, NKJV
Thank you, everyone for praying..
In an unrelated note: It's my 30th Birthday today!
I can only imagine the anguish & emotional turmoil that both of their families have undergone are currently undergoing.
I'm not sure all the politics involved, but I know that various militia groups have been operating in the Delta region of Nigeria where all the oil rigs are situated, targeting oil workers and or their loved ones as potential avenues of high high ransoms. At it's highest point, which I believe was late 2007, all foreign oil workers were evacuated from the country. Although the situation subsided somewhat, kidnappings have continued to occur since & the majority of both oil workers & expatriate workers in general in the Port Harcourt area usually travel w/ an or several armed escorts..
I know that the Family is conducting a large-scale medical camp in this area (as of today) & my guess is that Simon & Ikumi were somewhere in the interior driving between one place & another to do w/ the camp (possibly between the hotel & the camp site, or collecting supplies from somewhere) & either forgot to or didn't think to bring an armed escort & were accosted. These kidnappings usually occur at night. Whether or not this was the case this time, I'm not sure.
In any case, I know that prayer is the most powerful weapon we have.I pretty much have prayed for these 2 non-stop since getting this news, w/ a concentrated hour-long vigil held from 10:30-11:30 p.m. last night, & am also doing a 24-hour fast, which began from the moment I heard the news yesterday evening. If any of you out there do any of the above mentioned prayer methods, I know this will
help bring about their speedy release..
As I was praying I claimed many of the Psalms of David which I read throughout my prayer vigil. Psalm 17 in particular came alive in this situation, which reads:
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord,
Attend to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer wichi si not from decietful lips.
2 Let my vindication come from Your presence;
Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.
4 Concerning the works of men,
By the word of Your lips,
I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
5 Uphold my steps in Your paths,
That my footsteps may not slip.
6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me,
O God;
Incline Your ear to em ,and hear my sppech.
7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
O You who save those who trust in You
From those who rise up agains them.
8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
9 From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me.
11 They have surrounded us now in our steps;
They have set their eyes, crouching down to the eart,
13 Arise, O Lord,
Confront him, cast him down;
Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,
14 With Your hand from men, O Lord,
From men of the world who have their portion in this life...
15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.--Psalm 17, NKJV
Thank you, everyone for praying..
In an unrelated note: It's my 30th Birthday today!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Zam so far!
March 12th is Zambia’s national Youth Day. Our Lusaka team took the opportunity to hit the University with our song/drama combo to inspire & motivate any & all available “youths”…I was invited to participate..
The concept originally drawn-up by Simon who came here a couple weeks back with another team of young people who performed several skits including “Everything” & “The Four Horsemen”. Since I’m up here a couple weeks, we decided to carry on in the drama “vein” & a few of us copied a version we’d seen on video.
Although we didn’t have a huge audience (lot of ppl gone home for the holiday) It was definitely fun & something new & different for a lot of the 12 FS & Active members here..
Apart from performing dramas, Zambia has had its other sides of Adventure, w/ painting galore (house is getting a facelift), music & guitar lessons, conducting Bible studies, giving Menina English lessons, & some First Aid & GED studies thrown in there in my spare time (which I have surprisingly more of compared to in S.A.). Hoping the productivity continues..Pics to follow (once I’ve stacked up a bunch).
The concept originally drawn-up by Simon who came here a couple weeks back with another team of young people who performed several skits including “Everything” & “The Four Horsemen”. Since I’m up here a couple weeks, we decided to carry on in the drama “vein” & a few of us copied a version we’d seen on video.
Although we didn’t have a huge audience (lot of ppl gone home for the holiday) It was definitely fun & something new & different for a lot of the 12 FS & Active members here..
Apart from performing dramas, Zambia has had its other sides of Adventure, w/ painting galore (house is getting a facelift), music & guitar lessons, conducting Bible studies, giving Menina English lessons, & some First Aid & GED studies thrown in there in my spare time (which I have surprisingly more of compared to in S.A.). Hoping the productivity continues..Pics to follow (once I’ve stacked up a bunch).
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Zim/Zam...
Hardly any Zim, really, but there was ring to the title (wasn't there?)..
I've been in Zambia @ 5 days now & will be here the rest of the month..
It's a loooooooooong story, but bascially my Nigerian visa didn't come through on time & I had already had an extension on my S.A. visa, so I wasn't able to extend it again w/out leaving the country, so...voila..here I am..
Spending a couple weeks with the team here & so far it's great..
The bus ride was long & grueling (albeit comfortable...confusing, I kno..)..we were 3 hours late in leaving (no, 4, actually..), and sat 5 hours at the Zim/Zam border waiting for "commercial goods" (of which none were mine, I assure you) to clear...
Anyways, it's been gr8 2 b back in my element--teaching 12 FS classes, meeting friends, exploring, learning about the local people, etc.
My current pryr/wish is to go Vic falls for my B'day...
I've been in Zambia @ 5 days now & will be here the rest of the month..
It's a loooooooooong story, but bascially my Nigerian visa didn't come through on time & I had already had an extension on my S.A. visa, so I wasn't able to extend it again w/out leaving the country, so...voila..here I am..
Spending a couple weeks with the team here & so far it's great..
The bus ride was long & grueling (albeit comfortable...confusing, I kno..)..we were 3 hours late in leaving (no, 4, actually..), and sat 5 hours at the Zim/Zam border waiting for "commercial goods" (of which none were mine, I assure you) to clear...
Anyways, it's been gr8 2 b back in my element--teaching 12 FS classes, meeting friends, exploring, learning about the local people, etc.
My current pryr/wish is to go Vic falls for my B'day...
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Offline...
my computer seems to have crashed..
still working on that one..
in other words, I'll be offline for a bit...
will be back in Nigeria as of Sunday, & then maybe I'll have more internet time/a workable computer situation by then...
so excuse my abscence...for now..
Tx! ;)
P.S. We had a wonderful fellowship for the Family International's 42nd anniversary the other Sunday at the Vine Lodge...it was great...2 bad there weren't any pics taken..that followed by a short but sweet little ''bash'' thereafter that went into the semi-wee hours of the night..not tooooo long though...most everyone had things the following Monday, so couldn't be up to late..
still working on that one..
in other words, I'll be offline for a bit...
will be back in Nigeria as of Sunday, & then maybe I'll have more internet time/a workable computer situation by then...
so excuse my abscence...for now..
Tx! ;)
P.S. We had a wonderful fellowship for the Family International's 42nd anniversary the other Sunday at the Vine Lodge...it was great...2 bad there weren't any pics taken..that followed by a short but sweet little ''bash'' thereafter that went into the semi-wee hours of the night..not tooooo long though...most everyone had things the following Monday, so couldn't be up to late..
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
TIA
hmmmm....
So I'm applying for my Nigerian visa, right? As I'm going next week...
In order to leave the country, my current S.A. extension on my visitor's pass has to come through first...
I set off to home affairs at 9 yesterday morning & after looking for a parking space for nearly half an hour & enduring another 12-15 minute walk to the office (that's how far down Pretorius street I parked), another 15 minute wait in line, they tell me that (and it had been more than 30 days): My visa is not ready.
"Try again in 2 weeks!"
"But I'm leaving the country in 2 weeks!"
"Ok, try next week!"
Wow. I'd even called ahead, but no one picked up...
I thought "Oh, well!" Let me at least be productive & go apply for my Nigerian visa, so as to save time...(the idea being that my Nigerian visa would be through by next week if the application was submitted yesterday) & I'd go collect my extension at Home Affairs next week..
Phone information told me that a) Visa applications were excepted between 10am & 2pm Tuesdays & Thursdays. b) forms were given at the embassy as the website was experiencing a problem (I wasn't able to view the visa forms earlier--or load the page at all for that matter..).
I rushed to find the place, not knowing that Rivonia Road was so long that it would take me all the way through Sandton & into Illovo (nearly an hour drive from the Pretoria office I'd just left). I was making good time: 1:15pm. Well--rushed time--but good time. I took my passport pics, printed the invitation letter & other needed documents, rushed to the embassy (I even left my car parked at the plaza & ran down the street to avoid going all the way to the parking booth in order to save "precious minutes"), got there at 1:30 only to find that "we have closed for the day! Office hours are between 10am & 1:00pm."
I'm like: uhhhh...oK..."well, can I at least have the forms & come back Thurday w/ them?"..
"There are no forms! You can only get them online!"
Woooowwww...so I had nearly wasted my whole day...but what can I say...This Is Africa..
I'm repeating said process tomorrow..please pray I have the right info/documentation in hand & that all goes well..
Tx soooooooooooo much!
So I'm applying for my Nigerian visa, right? As I'm going next week...
In order to leave the country, my current S.A. extension on my visitor's pass has to come through first...
I set off to home affairs at 9 yesterday morning & after looking for a parking space for nearly half an hour & enduring another 12-15 minute walk to the office (that's how far down Pretorius street I parked), another 15 minute wait in line, they tell me that (and it had been more than 30 days): My visa is not ready.
"Try again in 2 weeks!"
"But I'm leaving the country in 2 weeks!"
"Ok, try next week!"
Wow. I'd even called ahead, but no one picked up...
I thought "Oh, well!" Let me at least be productive & go apply for my Nigerian visa, so as to save time...(the idea being that my Nigerian visa would be through by next week if the application was submitted yesterday) & I'd go collect my extension at Home Affairs next week..
Phone information told me that a) Visa applications were excepted between 10am & 2pm Tuesdays & Thursdays. b) forms were given at the embassy as the website was experiencing a problem (I wasn't able to view the visa forms earlier--or load the page at all for that matter..).
I rushed to find the place, not knowing that Rivonia Road was so long that it would take me all the way through Sandton & into Illovo (nearly an hour drive from the Pretoria office I'd just left). I was making good time: 1:15pm. Well--rushed time--but good time. I took my passport pics, printed the invitation letter & other needed documents, rushed to the embassy (I even left my car parked at the plaza & ran down the street to avoid going all the way to the parking booth in order to save "precious minutes"), got there at 1:30 only to find that "we have closed for the day! Office hours are between 10am & 1:00pm."
I'm like: uhhhh...oK..."well, can I at least have the forms & come back Thurday w/ them?"..
"There are no forms! You can only get them online!"
Woooowwww...so I had nearly wasted my whole day...but what can I say...This Is Africa..
I'm repeating said process tomorrow..please pray I have the right info/documentation in hand & that all goes well..
Tx soooooooooooo much!
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Perspectives..
Yesterday I saw a man getting beaten by the side of the road…
We’ll never know why...all I know is that the wickedness of man is reaching new proportions to the point that these things can carry on in broad daylight. But that’s not the saddest part. The saddest part is that I did nothing to help the situation. I, & no doubt, countless others, drove right on by… Granted, I just caught glimpse of the situation in my rear view & had to keep my eyes on the road. Granted, I was winding down a bit of a mountain road & had to watch very well what I was doing. Granted, by the time my faculties kicked in, so did the realization that the criminal may be armed. But by the time I got home a truer & grander realization kicked in: “Evil prospers when good men do nothing” (does anyone know who originally said that?). Now I know how true that is.
Thankfully communication with God is one reflex that I do have that did kick in immediately & I instantly prayed sincerely that God would do something to help that man. Approximately 240 seconds later a cop car drove past me towards the direction I’d just come from. I prayed again that God would send the police right by (after all it was on the side of the road) & that they would put a stop to what appeared to me a mini-terror that I’d barely witnessed. But if my reflexes were quicker still I would have honked/flashed my brights at the police, or turned around & gone towards them, flagged them down & told them where & when the crime was taking place & urged them to do something.
I have a lot to learn. But I’m praying for a faster mind, so that I can have the correct reflex at the correct time.
I trust that God is helping that man. Why? Because I prayed for him consecutively for the next 2 hours after I got home & I’ve prayed for him alternately since. I’ll keep praying for him.
But another realization still took place in my life because of that 4 second happening (my witnessing the event, that is)--and it produced a learning in my spirit. And that realization was concerning the suffering of so many Africans & so many people in the world in general. This man being beaten probably didn’t have money to pay the taxi & so the taxi driver pulled over & took it out on him. Or even worse, maybe he’d been picked up innocently & then been the subject of a hijack/burglary…with a beating (or is that the better case scenario?—I can’t figure).
Changing the subject slightly, our house help (newly acquired after Jacob & Gansan were slaughtered on the road 4 months ago) lost his daughter recently to heart trouble. She was 13. Probably due to lack of medication & proper health care, due to them being a low, low, low income family. The saddest part is that her father couldn’t even attend her funeral as he didn’t have the money to travel back to Malawi for the burial.
Where this story is actually going is to the point that I realized then that I complain a lot (yet another realization). Ironic because...I HAVE NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT!! I have a loving family, a beautiful girlfriend, a thrilling/adventurous lifestyle, A fulfilling calling, a God who cares for me, & what’s more, safety, good food, protection, full health…..Basically I lead a charmed life compared to so many. So many of us do. Yet we still find ought to gripe/bemoan the small things missing in our lives (inconsequentials, really, like summer sea-cruises, designer clothes, iphones, expensive cars, etc.). That’s changed for me. If I have to go back & scratch out all the other new Year’s resolutions & replace them with just one it would be this: in 2010 I will be thankful! I will not complain about anything this year & I will thank God for my many blessings.
Alright. There you have it. My new New Year’s resolution for 2010. Thank You God for all you’ve given me. You're the greatest. I love you!
We’ll never know why...all I know is that the wickedness of man is reaching new proportions to the point that these things can carry on in broad daylight. But that’s not the saddest part. The saddest part is that I did nothing to help the situation. I, & no doubt, countless others, drove right on by… Granted, I just caught glimpse of the situation in my rear view & had to keep my eyes on the road. Granted, I was winding down a bit of a mountain road & had to watch very well what I was doing. Granted, by the time my faculties kicked in, so did the realization that the criminal may be armed. But by the time I got home a truer & grander realization kicked in: “Evil prospers when good men do nothing” (does anyone know who originally said that?). Now I know how true that is.
Thankfully communication with God is one reflex that I do have that did kick in immediately & I instantly prayed sincerely that God would do something to help that man. Approximately 240 seconds later a cop car drove past me towards the direction I’d just come from. I prayed again that God would send the police right by (after all it was on the side of the road) & that they would put a stop to what appeared to me a mini-terror that I’d barely witnessed. But if my reflexes were quicker still I would have honked/flashed my brights at the police, or turned around & gone towards them, flagged them down & told them where & when the crime was taking place & urged them to do something.
I have a lot to learn. But I’m praying for a faster mind, so that I can have the correct reflex at the correct time.
I trust that God is helping that man. Why? Because I prayed for him consecutively for the next 2 hours after I got home & I’ve prayed for him alternately since. I’ll keep praying for him.
But another realization still took place in my life because of that 4 second happening (my witnessing the event, that is)--and it produced a learning in my spirit. And that realization was concerning the suffering of so many Africans & so many people in the world in general. This man being beaten probably didn’t have money to pay the taxi & so the taxi driver pulled over & took it out on him. Or even worse, maybe he’d been picked up innocently & then been the subject of a hijack/burglary…with a beating (or is that the better case scenario?—I can’t figure).
Changing the subject slightly, our house help (newly acquired after Jacob & Gansan were slaughtered on the road 4 months ago) lost his daughter recently to heart trouble. She was 13. Probably due to lack of medication & proper health care, due to them being a low, low, low income family. The saddest part is that her father couldn’t even attend her funeral as he didn’t have the money to travel back to Malawi for the burial.
Where this story is actually going is to the point that I realized then that I complain a lot (yet another realization). Ironic because...I HAVE NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT!! I have a loving family, a beautiful girlfriend, a thrilling/adventurous lifestyle, A fulfilling calling, a God who cares for me, & what’s more, safety, good food, protection, full health…..Basically I lead a charmed life compared to so many. So many of us do. Yet we still find ought to gripe/bemoan the small things missing in our lives (inconsequentials, really, like summer sea-cruises, designer clothes, iphones, expensive cars, etc.). That’s changed for me. If I have to go back & scratch out all the other new Year’s resolutions & replace them with just one it would be this: in 2010 I will be thankful! I will not complain about anything this year & I will thank God for my many blessings.
Alright. There you have it. My new New Year’s resolution for 2010. Thank You God for all you’ve given me. You're the greatest. I love you!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
New Year Goals!
Some already enacted:
Am reading the Bible straight through for pretty much the first time ever..
Because I’ve started & stopped so many times, I decided to skip the first five books of Moses having read those 1000 times over (Genesis/Exodus particularly) & began from the book of Joshua this time. The Bible is one looooooooooong book, let me tell you right now. Been reading for 2 months (again, starting from Joshua) & I’m now only at Nehemiah chapter 10. Although, to be fair, I am a slow reader!
Continuing in my fitness vein, TTL! It seems it’s for life now. I’m learning to make do w/out a gym, and although I have gotten considerably smaller since leaving the comfort & regular regimen of my Dome Gym in Abuja, I’ve managed to keep frequent work-outs going with the current exercise equipment comprising of dip bars, pull-up bars &….the floor…which suits all other exercises (squats, push-ups, plank, calf-raise etc.). So I’m still happy & healthy…(won’t say happy & buff, but happy & healthy nonetheless)..
Am learning to say no. Said it a couple times recently, including a big no when I turned down a 4-week long road trip to instead extend my current visa internally which turned out a tough process & was pretty much down to the wire, but my application was accepted in the end & I learned the art of weighing up balances & the advantage of sometimes choosing the more immediately tedious option, to avoid an easier option that may take 5 times longer to reach the same result (in few words, sometimes it’s worth it to go through several days of intensity, if it avoids you weeks of slower work). Raise your hand if you’ve ever experienced that?).
Putting on God’s mind:
This one still a work in progress, but it definitely feel great to be taking more time in meditation & prayer, going to the Lord w/ my questions, not being too busy for Him, praising Him more in my heart, reviewing the Word & key promises, keeping a spirit song in my head or playing on my phone. A great way to start the year! Like some kind of phenomenon, the more of God’s Word you get, the more you want…cool. Of all the goals, I hope this one I can truly keep up throughout the year.
Am reading the Bible straight through for pretty much the first time ever..
Because I’ve started & stopped so many times, I decided to skip the first five books of Moses having read those 1000 times over (Genesis/Exodus particularly) & began from the book of Joshua this time. The Bible is one looooooooooong book, let me tell you right now. Been reading for 2 months (again, starting from Joshua) & I’m now only at Nehemiah chapter 10. Although, to be fair, I am a slow reader!
Continuing in my fitness vein, TTL! It seems it’s for life now. I’m learning to make do w/out a gym, and although I have gotten considerably smaller since leaving the comfort & regular regimen of my Dome Gym in Abuja, I’ve managed to keep frequent work-outs going with the current exercise equipment comprising of dip bars, pull-up bars &….the floor…which suits all other exercises (squats, push-ups, plank, calf-raise etc.). So I’m still happy & healthy…(won’t say happy & buff, but happy & healthy nonetheless)..
Am learning to say no. Said it a couple times recently, including a big no when I turned down a 4-week long road trip to instead extend my current visa internally which turned out a tough process & was pretty much down to the wire, but my application was accepted in the end & I learned the art of weighing up balances & the advantage of sometimes choosing the more immediately tedious option, to avoid an easier option that may take 5 times longer to reach the same result (in few words, sometimes it’s worth it to go through several days of intensity, if it avoids you weeks of slower work). Raise your hand if you’ve ever experienced that?).
Putting on God’s mind:
This one still a work in progress, but it definitely feel great to be taking more time in meditation & prayer, going to the Lord w/ my questions, not being too busy for Him, praising Him more in my heart, reviewing the Word & key promises, keeping a spirit song in my head or playing on my phone. A great way to start the year! Like some kind of phenomenon, the more of God’s Word you get, the more you want…cool. Of all the goals, I hope this one I can truly keep up throughout the year.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
3 10s...
On the 10th of January 2010 I had my 10th Africa Anniversary..
I couldn't get online on the 10th, so am posting this now..So celebrate w/ me..
Let's c how many more their will be..well, I'll let you on to the simple fact that there won't be that many more, as I'll be moving at the end of this year..
but my history in Africa is certainly not in any way coming to a close..The future is bright & big w/ God's help..TYJ!
In other news, after 4 trips down-town Pretoria..at the last minute on the last day of my visa, they approved an extension for me, as I finally had all the right forms..(it's a loooong story w/ a long process)..Thank the Lord! I'm so thankful that it worked, as this way I didn't have to travel out..Hal!
I couldn't get online on the 10th, so am posting this now..So celebrate w/ me..
Let's c how many more their will be..well, I'll let you on to the simple fact that there won't be that many more, as I'll be moving at the end of this year..
but my history in Africa is certainly not in any way coming to a close..The future is bright & big w/ God's help..TYJ!
In other news, after 4 trips down-town Pretoria..at the last minute on the last day of my visa, they approved an extension for me, as I finally had all the right forms..(it's a loooong story w/ a long process)..Thank the Lord! I'm so thankful that it worked, as this way I didn't have to travel out..Hal!
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Happy New Year!
Wishing everyone out there a fantastic 2010! I had a GREAT C'mas & New Year's, btw...more details coming w/ pics..
First happenings of 2010: I stayed a few days at the Centurion Home while my team was down in Cape Town & we had a candlelight/New Year reflection..Here's what I came up w/..
Thankful for in 2009: Rebecca, Projects conducted in Nigeria & South Africa, lessons learned, survived a life-threatening car accident, FDTP, travels, visit w/ my family, PMA course & that I was able to be here for the graduation ceremony.
Goals for 2010: Embrace Change & be open to the new things the Lord has for me this year..Full Possession (in other words, a mind meld w/ God..to know Him & His Word better then ever, so I can do what He wants, not what I want).
Funny enough, one of my 2010 goals is to learn to say no. It seems simple enough, but I actually need that resolution as I too often do everyone else's wishes, without making sure it's right in my own life. Already managed a couple nos..and the year's just getting started..
New Year's promise:
(Message from Jesus, speaking on the Keys of the Kingdom:)
The power of the keys will never be broken. Within the keys lie all the power and energy and components you will ever need to build on your dreams and carry out My will.
Awesome.
First happenings of 2010: I stayed a few days at the Centurion Home while my team was down in Cape Town & we had a candlelight/New Year reflection..Here's what I came up w/..
Thankful for in 2009: Rebecca, Projects conducted in Nigeria & South Africa, lessons learned, survived a life-threatening car accident, FDTP, travels, visit w/ my family, PMA course & that I was able to be here for the graduation ceremony.
Goals for 2010: Embrace Change & be open to the new things the Lord has for me this year..Full Possession (in other words, a mind meld w/ God..to know Him & His Word better then ever, so I can do what He wants, not what I want).
Funny enough, one of my 2010 goals is to learn to say no. It seems simple enough, but I actually need that resolution as I too often do everyone else's wishes, without making sure it's right in my own life. Already managed a couple nos..and the year's just getting started..
New Year's promise:
(Message from Jesus, speaking on the Keys of the Kingdom:)
The power of the keys will never be broken. Within the keys lie all the power and energy and components you will ever need to build on your dreams and carry out My will.
Awesome.
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